In dairy-related news the last week of February 2026:
- OSHA fines 3 companies after 6 deaths at Colorado dairy farm
- USDA opens enrollment period for Farmer Bridge Assistance payments
- New U.S.-Indonesia agreement secures access to critical dairy market
- U.S. dairy community announces launch of Latin American Dairy Nutrition Congress
OSHA fines 3 companies after 6 deaths at Colorado dairy farm
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited three companies after its investigation determined workers died after exposure to hazardous gas at Prospect Ranch in Weld County, Colorado.
OSHA’s investigation found that on Aug. 20, 2025, a pipe in the manure management system at Prospect Ranch LLC disconnected, releasing manure water and hydrogen sulfide gas. Contractors Fiske Inc. and HD Builders LLC were hired to perform work on the system. A Fiske employee and a Prospect Ranch employee attempted to stop the flow but were overcome by the gas. Subsequently, three more Fiske employees and one Prospect Ranch employee entered the pump room, which led to the loss of a total of six workers. HD Builders employees were present but unharmed.
OSHA cited Prospect Ranch LLC for serious violations including failure to protect workers from atmospheric hazards, have a written hazard communication program and train workers on methods to detect hazardous gases. The company faces $132,406 in proposed penalties.
The agency also cited Fiske Inc. for serious violations including failure to protect employees from hazardous atmospheres and failure to provide hydrogen sulfide detection training. OSHA proposed $99,306 in penalties. HD Builders was cited for violations including failure to have a written hazard communication program and failure to provide training on detecting hydrogen sulfide for which OSHA proposed a $14,897 penalty.
The companies have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case.
Any employer is invited to contact OSHA for information about compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.
USDA opens enrollment period for Farmer Bridge Assistance payments
The USDA opened the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, providing $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row-crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The FBA enrollment period closes April 17, 2026.
The following commodities are eligible for FBA: barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame and sunflower.
Prefilled applications will be available online to producers with a Login.gov account who timely filed their 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities. Producers who have a Login.gov account can access and submit their prefilled application. Additionally, producers can also request their prefilled FBA application from their FSA county office.
New U.S.-Indonesia agreement secures access to critical dairy market
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) celebrated the signing of a new U.S.-Indonesia trade agreement that would provide key market access expansions and protections for American dairy products.
Following years of NMPF, USDEC and CCFN advocacy, the deal will eliminate tariffs on all U.S. dairy exports; recognize U.S. regulatory oversight, including by listing all U.S. dairy facilities and accepting dairy certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities; and commit to protecting 40 common cheese names like Parmesan. U.S. dairy exporters have long faced challenges with Indonesia’s excessively slow and burdensome facility registration process, making the issue’s resolution critical.
“This important agreement enhances the strong and growing relationship we’ve developed with Indonesia’s government and dairy industry,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “Through sustained engagement, we’ve laid a solid foundation for partnership. This deal reinforces that progress and positions U.S. dairy to expand its capacity to serve as a reliable partner in supporting Indonesia’s dairy sector and nutrition goals.”
The agreement builds on the U.S.-Indonesia Dairy Partnership, launched in 2024 to deepen cooperation across multiple fronts. As part of this collaboration, USDEC partnered with Indonesian institutions to support the government’s Free and Nutritious School Meals initiative, which includes the goal of providing school milk to students.
NMPF and USDEC also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) last May to expand dairy trade and strengthen commercial ties. USDEC also signed a MOU with the Indonesian Food and Beverage Industry Association (GAPMMI) last October. A USDEC-GAPMMI roundtable led by USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, Luke Lindberg, was held earlier this month to deepen that connection.
“Indonesia is the fourth-most populous country in the world and, it’s a critical market for U.S. dairy farmers,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF.
Indonesia is currently the eighth-largest export market for U.S. dairy products. U.S. dairy exports to Indonesia in 2025 totaled $222 million, including strong demand for milk powders, whey products, cheese and other dairy ingredients.
U.S. dairy community announces launch of Latin American Dairy Nutrition Congress
The USDEC and National Dairy Council (NDC) announced the launch of the inaugural Latin American Congress on Dairy Nutrition (NutriLact). This new international forum brings together leading scientists, researchers, health professionals and policymakers from top universities and institutions across the U.S. and Latin America, including Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Pan-American Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and key universities around the world.
Taking place Feb. 25-26 in Lima, Peru, the congress will focus on the role of dairy foods in supporting healthier diets across the lifespan, at a time when many Latin American countries are working to address both nutrient deficiencies and rising rates of diet-related chronic disease.
“Bringing scientists from across the Americas together in one place is critical to advancing practical, science-based nutrition solutions,” Harden said. “We are proud to help convene this congress, which will facilitate meaningful conversations on how dairy can support health and nutrition goals throughout Latin America.”
The congress program was developed by NDC and USDEC working in collaboration with an independent scientific advisory committee, made up of respected researchers from universities and research institutions in the U.S. and Latin America. The agenda was curated to ensure discussions are grounded in the latest science and relevant to real-world nutrition policy and practice.
The congress will feature plenary sessions, panel discussions and interactive exchanges among researchers, clinicians and nutrition leaders from across the region, on topics ranging from maternal and child health to cardiometabolic well-being and nutrition.
USDEC’s Jaime Castaneda, who co-chaired the organization of the congress together with Shawna Morris, said, “This congress is not intended to be a one-off event, but the beginning of an ongoing regional conversation with health policymakers, practitioners and researchers on the potential of dairy products to address issues that are fundamental to the health and prosperity of Latin America.”
